Kalaroos Caves - Secret Route to Russia From Kupwara District of Kashmir.

 
Kashmir is known for many reasons around the world. It has a long list of spectacular sites like Srinagar, Pahalgam and Ladakh etc. But among all these places the caves of Kalaroos have a lot of mysterious talks. Kalaroos got its name from Qila-e-roos that actually means Russian fort. Kalaroos Caves is located in Kupwara District of Kashmir in Lolab Valley. The Kalaroos caves are situated midway of the Lashtiyal and Mahdmadu villages. There is a giant stone in Lashtiyal village named Satbaran. The stone has seven doors which are known as Sath barr. Locals say that the doors symbolise seven distinct routes to Russia and other countries. Inside these caves there is a discoloured board with some foreign language written on it. Some villagers say that the caves hide some magnificent water bodies too. A group of youth told us that inside these caves there are huge water bodies and we can hear the sound of running water. Many believe that satbaran was a temple in the ancient era where the Pandavas used to worship.
 
 
Some of the American explorers like Eric Fries and Amber explored three caves back in 2018 and reached the termination points for each of them. They mentioned the possibility that two of the caves might have been connected in the past. One of the two caves is upward trending and the other one trend downwards. Both of them have similar elevations and azimuths. On its entrance is a well maintained gap to let you in, but at some places it needs skilful technique to walk in it because there are many uneven slopes. Once you enter into the cave you feel the air much cooler than normal and darkness at its peak. They couldn’t determine a similar elevation for the third cave as it was sealed by the Indian army.
 
 
Referring to Satbaran they have also stated "No one knows the history behind the structures who built it or its age". The explorers have notified that though there aren't any signs of recent human passages in the third cave, some Himalayan porcupine are present over there. These caves have unique archaeological importance and attract people of adjoining areas and have become popular picnic spots. Concerned about the importance of these sites locals are demanding to declare these caves as heritage sites. The department of Archaeology and Museum must preserve and declare these sites as "Protected sites".
 
 
Kalarooch, also known as Kalaroos, is a pass of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is surrounded by mountains which increases its beauty. The village is located 5 km (3.1 mi) from district headquarters Kupwara. Take a bus from Srinagar to reach Kupwara and can hire a car to reach Kalaroos cave in Lolab Valley.